Grinding machine



March 31, 1936.

G. W. BINNS ET AL 2,035,737

GRINDING MACHINE I Filed March 3, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet l Z T /0! I29. 7 '57 ff I @azaz/[flwy G. w. BINNS ET AL 4 2,035,737

GRINDING MACHINE v Filed March 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 31, 1936.

G. w. BINNS ET AL GRINDING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 31, 1936.

G. w; BINNS ET AL 2,035,737

GRINDING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1954 5 Sheet-Sheet 4 jd; 3mm;

31, 1936. e. W.-B|NNS ETAL 9 GRINDING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet Patented Mar. 31, 1936 SATES ATENT OFFICE GRINDING MACHINE of Ohio Application March 3, 1934, Serial No. 713,900

13 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machine tools and particularly to improvements in grinding machines for producing formed work pieces.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is therefore the provision of a grinding machine for producing formed work pieces, that is, work pieces having a plurality of surfaces disposed in angular relation to one another.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a grinding machine for producing at a single operation work pieces having a plurality of angularly disposed surfaces and each successive Work piece to the same contour and dimension.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a substantially automatic machine for effecting a substantially continuous production of such formed work pieces.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a machine of the type above referred to which will automatically stop in the event the work piece is not in proper position relative thereto for an operation to be preformed thereon.

Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a grinding machine for producing formed or irregular work pieces that automatically rotates the work, presents same to the grinding wheel and ejects it from the machine at the conclusion of the grinding operation, requiring an operator to merely load same.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and it is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a grinding machine embodying the improvements of this invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional View on line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the portion of the machine at the right hand end thereof as seen in Figure 1, or as seen on line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a view of the portion of the machine at the right hand end thereof with the guard removed and showing parts in elevation and parts in section, the parts in section being in a plane to the right of the plane of Figure 5 as seen in Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on'line l-l of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional View through one of the work supporting and rotating chucks and forming a detail of the invention.

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional View as seen, for example, from line 9-9 on Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view on line |Gl on Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view of the trueing mechanism as seen on line H-I l of Figure 1.

Figure 12 is a view showing a fragment of the grinding wheel with the work in operative relation thereto, and as it passes said wheel.

Figure 13 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical circuit which includes the safety feature.

Throughout the several views of the drawings similar reference characters are employed to denote the same or similar parts.

The machine embodying this invention comprises a bed l having rising therefrom at one end thereof a bearing in which is journaled a spindle M5 for a grinding wheel I1. The wheel I! is enclosed within a suitable guard l8 secured to the spindle supporting bearing. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the operative portion of the wheel I! is provided with a central cylindrical portion l9 and lateral inclined portions 20 and 2| on each side of the central cylindrical portion. These portions of the wheel co -operate to generate the contour on the terminal portion of the work which is shown in Figure 12 which comprises a conical portion 22 and a circular flat portion 23. y

In order to maintain the shape of the wheel I! there is provided a trueing tool in the nature of a diamond 25 secured in the outer end of a bar 26. The bar 26 is mounted for axial adjustment in a sleeve like portion 21 and the bar is held in adjusted positions by a suitable clamp 28. A screw adjusting mechanism is associated with the outer end of the bar and sleeve and is operated by a hand wheel 29. Since this adjusting mechanism forms no particular part of the present invention, and since it is well known it is not considered necessary to'further its lower end a flange 5|.

illustrate or describe same. The bar supporting sleeve 21 is in effect integral with a slide 30w movable transversely of a second slide 30 in turn movable longitudinally of a guide plate 3| whereby to effect a traverse of the diamond 25 across the face of the wheel. To effect the movement of the slide it has connected therewith one end of a piston rod 32 which enters a cylinder 33 where it has secured to it a piston 34. An hydraulic medium under pressure is introduced into the cylinder at opposite ends thereof for effecting the movement of the piston 34 relative thereto and the consequent movement of the slide 33.

To produce the contour on the wheel it is necessary that the trueing tool or diamond 25 approach the axis of the wheel I l and recede therefrom during the traverse relative thereto. To effect this in and out movement of the said diamond there is provided a cam 35 having substantially the same shape or contour to be produced on the wheel.

(Jo-operating with the cam 25 isa follower 33 associated with the upper or diamond bar slide 300. for effecting the said movement. The cam is secured to a carrier or support 3'! which also carries the lower or guidingslide 3|. The support 31 is in turn secured to a ledge or shelf 38 projecting outwardly from the wheel guard I8.

Opposite to the grinding wheel I! and supported by the bed I5 is the work rotation and control unit indicated generally by the numeral 39, Figure 1. The said unit 39 is supported by a lower slide '40 having formed in its under surface a dovetail guide way 4|, see Figure 2, receiving a correspondingly shaped tongue 42 projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the bed I5. The rear end of the slide terminates in an upward'flange 43, see Figure 5, in which is formed a threaded bore 44 meshing with the threads 45 of an adjusting screw 46. The adjusting screw 46, as seen in Figure 1, is rotatably journaled in a bracket 41 rising from the bed l5 or an extension 48 thereof. The screw 46 projects beyond the bracket 41 and to this projection is secured in any desirable manner a .pilot or hand wheel 49 wherebythe screw 46 is rotated to adjust the position of the slide 40.

The work rotation and control unit comprises a casting or housing 50 from which projects at At opposite sides the flange is provided with a pair of projecting arms 52 and 53 respectively straddling lugs 54 and 55 upstanding from the lower slide 40. Thearms 52 and 53 and the lugs '54 and 55 are respectively provided with bores in axial alignment through which extend trunnions 56 and 51. From this it will be seen that the work rotation and controlling unit is mounted for oscillation toward and. from the grinding wheel. In order to effect the said oscillation the casting or housing 50 carries the work and is oscillated by means of a cam 59 secured to one end of a shaft 58 which is rotatably journaled in thesaid housing 50. The cam 59 rides on a follower or pillow? block 50 secured to a stud 6 l, in turn secured in a bracket 62 carried by the lower slide 40.

As seen in Figure 5, the cam 59 has a high portion 59: extending from the point 59b to a point 590 which is concentric with the axis of the driving shaft 58. From the point 59b to the point 59d is a relatively rapid rise, 59h followed bya concentric portion 59c extending from the point 59d to a point 59;. From the point 59 to the point 590 is a relatively slow decline 599. During operation the cam 59 is rotated in gasses? a clockwise direction with the work and wheel relatively stationary as far as relative movement toward and from one another is concerned during the major portion of the grinding operation. That is, the portion 59a of the cam is riding on the pillow block at the time the work contacts with the wheel at the point or edge of the wheel formed by the inclined portion 20 thereof and the adjacent side face. In view of the fact that the work is traversed across the wheel in an arcuate path it is considerably above the center thereof when initial contact is had. Therefore, as the work swings through its arcuate path it approaches the center of the wheel and is by this movement fed into the wheel. The portion 20 of the wheel therefore generates a substantial conical point on the work as it passes thereby. The work, on passing the plain cylindrical portion of the wheel, has the point of the cone ground off by the said cylindrical portion of the'grinding wheel with the resultant truncated conical end on the work. During this movement of the work relative to the wheel the cam 59 was riding on the portion 59a, as above noted, and is so related to the work that when the work starts to engage with the inclined portion 2| of the wheel, the cam portion 599 of the cam comes into operation. This, of course, being a decline permits the work supporting and rotation control unit to fall away from the wheel, thereby giving in effect a retraction of the work from the wheel as they are traversed, thereby effecting a finish grind on the conical portion 22 of the work. This relative retraction of the work'and wheel and simultaneous traverse thereof continues until the fiat portion 23 of the work is free of the wheel whereupon the work controlling and rotation unit is held stationary until the said fiat portion passes beyond the side of the wheel adjacent the inclined portion 2|. The relatively rapid rise portion 59h between the point 59d and 59b immediately comes into play for again shifting the unit toward the grinding wheel when the portion 59a holds the parts stationary in the grinding position. The shifting of the unit toward the grinding wheel takes place after one work piece leaves the wheel and before a second work piece engages same, whereupon the cycle of movement is again repeated for generating the conical end of the work.

The shaft 58, and therefore the cam 59, is rotated through a worm wheel '63 secured to the end of the shaft 58 opposite to that carrying the cam 59. The said worm wheel 63 meshes with a worm 64 integral with or secured to a shaft 65 vertically disposed in the housing 53. Intermediate its ends the shaft 65 has keyed or otherwise secured to it a worm wheel 66, in turn meshing with a worm B! on a shaft 68 disposed transversely of the housing 50. The shaft 68 extends through and beyond the lateral sides of the said housing 50 and to each projecting end is secured a pulley or sheave 69 and Ill. The sheave 10 has trained thereabout a plurality of V belts H, in turn extending about a pulley or sheave 12 on a motor shaft 73. The motor shaft 13 is associated with an electric motor or prime mover 14 fastened to a rearwardly projecting motor support '15 integral with the lower slide 40.

From the foregoing it will be noted that the work supporting unit is oscillatable toward and from the grinding wheel as seen in Figure 5. As

has been previously described, this oscillation of the unit takes place partly while the work piece is passing across the face of the grinding wheel 11 and partly before the work engages same.

The casting or housing 58 is provided with an enlarged circular portion or boss I6 through which is formed a bore I'I receiving in opposite ends bushings I8 and 18a. Rotatably mounted in said bushings is a relatively large sleeve or spindle I9. The spindle I9 is substantially hollow and closed at one end by a head 88 and at the other end by a head 8|. Near the head 88 the spindle I9 is provided with a radial flange and nose 82 to which is secured, as by screws 83, the work holding mechanism 81. The rear end of the spindle I9 or adjacent the head 8| is reduced in diameter as at 84, to which reduced portion is keyed or otherwise secured a worm wheel 85. The worm wheel 85 meshes with a worm 86 integral with or secured to the vertical shaft I35. From this it will be seen that the spindle I9 is rotated relative to the housing 58.

The work supporting mechanism 81 is in the nature of a drum having an inner radial flange 88 which fits on the nose 82 of the spindle and through which the attachment bolts 83 pass. The drum 8'! is in the form of a pair of spaced annular members 89 and 98, providing therebetween the space 9|, which in eifect is a circumferential groove closed at the bottom by the webbing 92 which connect the annular members or flanges 89 and 98.

The annular members 89 and 98 are pierced with a plurality of bores circumferentially spaced relative to the axis of the said drum. Each bore in one of the annular members or flanges is in axial alignment with a corresponding bore in the other, and the said aligned bores carry the work chucks with the chuck operating mechanism disposed in the space or annular groove 9| between the flanges 89 and 98. Each of the chucks are identical in construction and it is believed that a description of one of them will suffice for all, and the said chuck is illustrated in detail in Figure 8.

The chuck comprises a main or supporting sleeve or spindle 93 rotatably journaled in bushings 94 and 95 respectively secured in the bores in annular members 89 and 98. Keyed or otherwise secured to the spindle 93 at its rear end is a driving sleeve 96 to which is keyed or otherwise secured a pulley or sheave 91. The forward end of the chuck spindle 93 terminates in a head 98 for a spring arm chuck 99. The chuck 99 includes spring fingers I88 so arranged as to exert a yielding gripping pressure on the work during the grinding operation. In order to release the work from the grip of the fingers I88 there is provided for sliding movement interiorly of the head end of the spindle a plunger I8I having a conical end I 82 for engagement with correspondingly shaped portions of the fingers I88. The plunger I8I is threaded to a rod I83, likewise slideable interiorly of the spindle 93. The rod I83 and plunger I8! are shifted by a shifter member I84 which carries a pin I85, in turn extending through the hollow rod I83. The shifter member I84 is slideable on the exterior of the spindle 93 to an operative position and an inoperative one and adapted to be yieldably held in said positions. For this purpose the shifter I84 carries one or more spring pressed detents I98 co-operating on their inner ends with V shaped notches I8! and I98 formed in the exterior of the spindle 93. From the foregoing it will be noted that the work may be clamped or held in the chuck or released therefrom upon movement of the member I84.

As was noted above, the work drum has a plurality of work supporting chucks which are movable with the drum relative to the grinding wheel as the said drum is actuated through the rotation of its supporting spindle. Also, as above noted, each chuck has associated therewith a driving pulley or sheave 91 which is utilized for effecting rotation of the individual chucks and work supported thereby. It will be appreciated that it is only necessary to rotate the work while it is being operated upon by the grinding wheel. For this reason the chuck pulleys or sheaves engage with the driving belt only at the time the drum is passing through the portion of its circle while the work is being operated upon or, as shown in Figures 2 and 9, when the chucks are at the bottom of the circle as seen in these figures.

The work supporting housing 58 behind the drum 8'! is provided with a face plate I89 in which is journaled idler pulley or sheave spindles H8 and II I and driving pulley or sheave spindle I I2. The idler spindle H8 is fixed so far as its axis is concerned, While the idler spindle III is carried by a block I I3 disposed in a guide way I I4 formed vertically through the plate I89. The driving spindle II2 is rotatably journaled in the wall or face plate I89 and projects therethrough into the interior of the housing 58. Secured to said internally projecting end of the driving spindle H2 is a bevel gear H5, see Figure 6, meshing with a bevel gear IIS on a shaft II! which extends at right angles to the spindle H2. The shaft II'I projects beyond the forward wall of the housing 58, as seen in Figure 1, to which projecting end is secured a pulley or sheave II8 disposed in the final assembly beneath a cover plate H9.

The sheave or pulley H8 is in alignment with the sheave or pulley 89 on the transverse shaft 88 and about the said sheaves H8 and 69 are trained a plurality of flexible transmission members or V belts I28, all as seen in Figures 1 and 3. Fastened in any desirable manner to the driving shaft or spindle II2 projecting forwardly of the face plate I89 is a pulley or sheave I2I, while loosely journaled on the idler spindles II8 and II I are similar pulleys or sheaves I22 and I23. As shown in Figure 6, the pulleys or sheaves I2I, I22 and I23 are of the multiple groove type about which is trained a plurality of V belts I24. The pulleys I2I, I22 and I23 are so arranged with respect to each other that when the chucks reach the lower portion of the circle of rotation of the drum the pulleys or sheaves thereof take up the said belts I24, and since thesaid belt is constantly rotating the chucks will be correspondingly.

driven. This is shown clearly in Figures 2 and 9, in the former of which the lower three chucks have their pulleys engaged with the driving belts, while in Figure 9 but two of the said chucks are being rotated, the first pulley having passed beyond the belts while the following pulley has not yet reached said belts. From the foregoing it should now be evident that the chucks, together with the work supported thereby, are rotated at the time the work is passing and engaging the grinding wheel.

In order to take the slack out of the said belts I24, the block I I3 which supports the upper idler pulley spindle III, has projected therefrom a pin I in constant engagement with a spring pressed plunger I26 carried by the housing 58 and at all times urging said idler pulley assembly in a direction to tension the belts. Additionally, to take the slack out of the belts I 24 and. to insure proper contact with the chuck pulleys the plate I09, see Figure 9, has pivotally mounted thereon, a bell crank I2I having a plane faced roller I28 rotatably mounted at I29 at one end of its one arm I30. The roller I28 is adapted to engage with the backs of the said V belts I 24. The second arm I3I of the bell crank IZI is provided with a circular lug portion I 32. received in a bore or notch I33 formed in a rod I34. The rod I34 is slidably mounted in a lug I35 projecting forwardly of the housing plate I09. Below the lug I35 the rod I34 is provided with a head I36 and surrounding the rod and disposed between the said head I 36 and the plate lug I35 is a spring I3I yieldably urging the rod downwardly, as seen in Figure 9. This movement of the rod I34 tends to rotate the bell crank I2I in a clockwise direction, which through the roller I28 urges the belts I24 toward the chuck pulleys as they come within the grinding zone.

In order to clamp and unclamp the work relative to the chucks or clamping fingers I00, the plunger ml is automatically shifted first in one direction and then in the opposite direction during each rotation thereof with the drum. This automatic shifting of the plunger I 0| is effected by a pair of cams I38 and I 39 engaging first on one side of the shifter member I04 and then on the other. The cams I38 and I39 are shown in Figure 9 as disposed at diametrical points and in a horizontal plane as respects the machine. From this it will be seen that the chucks have the work clamped therein when passing through the lower half of the circle and loose therein when passing through the upper half of the circle.

Any suitable or desirable means may be utilized for securing the said cams in operative position, such as pins or bolts I40 and I M respectively employed with cams I 38 and I 39.

The work pieces are adapted to be automatically ejected from their respective chucks, for which purpose the spindles of the chucks are hollow and carry for sliding movement relative thereto an ejector rod I42 having an enlarged or guiding portion I43 and a reduced portion I44. Surrounding the reduced portion I44 is a spring I45 which abuts on one end with the guiding portion I43 and on the other end with the bottom I46 of the bore in the spindle through which the guide I43 acts. The spring I45 tends to urge the ejector rod I43 to the right as seen in Figure 8, at which time the chuck may be loaded. The inner end of the plunger I 42 is provided with a socket I 4! containing a spring loaded plunger I48 abutting against an abutment plate I49 from which projects an adjustable abutment, in the nature of a headed bolt, I50 which contacts with the adjacent end of the work to limit or. position same with respect to the :movement of the chuck and for ejecting the throughout most of its extent, having only a high point or lug I52 at the upper portion thereof or substantially beneath the idler pulley spindle III.

From this it will be seen that the work may be loaded in the chucks just after they pass top center and ejected therefrom upon substantially a complete revolution thereof or at about the time they again reach the said top center. The work is pushed free of the chucks by the rod I42 where they fall by gravity into a trough I53 Figure 2, down which they travel by gravity to a suitable receptacle (not shown) placed at the end thereof to receive same.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows:

The motor I4 is started as is the motor (not shown) for rotating the grinding wheel at its usual high rate of speed. The portion of the cycle of rotation of the drum 8! between the idler pulley or sheave spindle III and the driving pulley or sheave spindle IIZ constitutes the loading zone and it is while the chucks on the drum are passing through this zone that the work pieces are inserted individually therein. At this time, of course, the ejector rod I42 of these chucks have their heads riding on the low portion of the cam I5I with their stops I50 properly positioned relative to the chuck fingers. The work pieces are therefore inserted into the chuck fingers until the inner end thereof contacts with the stop I50.

Through the transmission mechanism from the motor I4 and including the Worms and worm wheels 86, 64, 85, and 63, the drum spindle I9 and cam shaft 58 are rotated in timed sequence. The ratio existing between the said spindle I9 and shaft 53 is such that the cam 59 makes six revolutions to one revolution of the work spindle. The contour of the cam 59 is located in such a manner with respect to the chucks on the drum 81 that the work is oscillated with respect to the grinding wheel, or the work supporting and controlling unit is oscillated about the trunnions 56 and 57 from the grinding wheel during the time that, as fully explained above, each work piece passes across the inclined face 2I of the grinding wheel. From this it will be seen that the work supporting and controlling unit, as a whole, oscillates as many times during each revolution of the drum 81 as there are work supporting chucks thereon.

In view of the fact that the individual chuck driving sheaves are free of the belts when passing through the loading zone it will be appreciated that the said chucks are not rotated, thereby materially facilitating the loading of said chucks. As the chucks with their work approach the grinding zone the sheaves thereon individually pick up the driving belts I24 so that during the actual grinding operation the work pieces are being rotated. Upon passing out of the grinding zone the chuck sheaves leave the belts I 24 and the rotation of the work therefore stops. As the individual chucks approach the loading zone the cam face of the cam I5I reaches the high point I52 for shifting the ejector rod relative to the chuck spindles 93 to eject the work from the chucks. This ejection of the work from the chuck takes place over the discharge chute I53 which receives the work and delivers same to a suitable receptacle placed to receive it.

As was set forth above, after the work is placed in the chucks the drum carries same down past the clamping cams I39 which shifts the chuck actuator to secure the work therein. The chucks after passing through the grinding zone, have their actuator engaged by the releasing cam I38 which releases the work from the chuck fingers so that the ejector rod may then eject the work from the said chucks.

As is usual in grinding machines, a relatively small amount of stock is removed per pass of the work relative tothe wheel. In the present instance due to the relatively small diameter of the work, compared to the relatively wide face of the wheel, a little greater amount of stock may be removed from the work than is usual, being due partly to the arcuate path of the work with the face of the wheel and partly due to the retraction of the work from the wheel by the cam 59 during the relative traverse thereof. However, it is necessary that the work be accurately positioned with respect to the wheel to determine the proper amount of stock removal and to prevent a wreck. This is determined by the projection of the work from the chuck as determined by the stop I50. It is possible that the operator may not insert the work within the chuck a sufficient distance, thereby causing the work to project beyond the chuck too far, or the work may be of an irregular length and again project beyond the chuck a distance greater than that allowed. This excess projection of the work would engage the side of the wheel and thereby either wreck the machine, damage the wheel or cause some other relatively expensive accident. To prohibit this possibility, a safety device has been incorporated in the machine which when this condition occurs will stop the machine.

This safety device comprises a switch I54 included in the electrical circuit to the motor 14, as seen in Figures 1 and 13. The switch I54 has an actuator I55 adapted to be operated by the nose I56 of a sliding plunger I56. The plunger I56 is slideable through a bracket I51 secured to the work controlling unit 50, and the said plunger I56 has formed at its other end rack teeth I58 meshing with a relatively wide rack pinion I59. The pinion I59 is rotatably mounted in a bore I66 in the housing I51 and has meshing with it the rack teeth of a vertically disposed rack bar I6I. As seen in Figure 2, the bar I6I is slideable relatively vertically as respects the machine and projects above the housing I51. Extending transversely of the rod I6I is a pin I62 forming one abutment for a spring I63 which encircles "the rod I6I and the said spring I63 abuts on its other end with a shoulder I64 provided by the housing I51. The spring I63 actuates the parts through the rack pinion I59 in a direction to leave the switch I54 free and closed.

Above the housing I51 the rod I6I is provided with an enlarged head I65 which underlies an arm I66. The arm I66 is pivotally mounted at I61 to an extension I68 secured to the housing I51 and projecting thereabove. The arm I66 is provided intermediate its ends with a step or shoulder I69. The arm I66 is confined by the housing extension I68 against any movement other than a rotary one about the axis of the pivot I61. In the final assembly, and as shown in Figure 1, the arm I66 is positioned with respect to the work that if the work is projecting from the chucks the right distance no interference is had but if the work projects beyond the allowable distance, it engages with the shoulder I69 and thereby oscillates the arm I66. .The arm I66 through the cam face I10 thereon pushes the rod I6! downwardly against the resistance of its spring I63. This movement of the rod I6I through the rack gear I59 shifts the rod I56 to the right as seen in Figure 1 for opening the switch I54 and interrupting the electrical circuit to the motor 14.

As seen in Figure 13 the limit switch I54 is wired in series with the starting and stopping switch I1I. It is believed that the wiring diagram is self-evident without further description since the opening of the switch I54 would be the same as the opening of the stop switch of th starting and stopping switch "I. v

In order to maintain the individual chuck spindles properly lubricated during the rotation thereof the main spindle 19, as mentioned above, is hollow, being closed at opposite ends bythe heads 80 and 8I. Use is made of the hollow interior of the spindle as an oil or lubricant reservoir for supplying the lubricant to the said individual chuck spindles. For this purpose the rear head 8| has tapped therein the terminus of a lubricant supply pipe I12 which supplies lubricant from any suitable source to the interior of the spindle. Theforward head 80 is provided with as many tapped holes as there are chucks in the drum 81 and into each tapped hole is screwed the inlet end of a valve body I13. The other side of each valve body I13 is connected by a discharge pipe I14 with an oil well I15 formed above each of chuck spindles 93. The oil wells I15 supply through ducts I16 and I11 lubricant to the bearings formed respectively in the annular or ring members 89 and 90. In order to control the amount of lubricant delivered to said bearings each of the valve bodies I13 contain a throttle valve operable by the knobs I18 projecting from each of the said valve bodies. From the foregoing it will be seen'that the individual chuck spindles are adequately lubricated during rotation, while rotating the work in contact with the wheel.

What is claimed is:

1. In a grinding machine of the class described the combination of a bed, a grinding wheel rotatably supported thereby, a work supporting drum mounted for rotation about an axis at right angles to the face of the grinding wheel, means for effecting a continuous rotation of. the drum, a plurality of work supporting units carried by said drum for passing successive work pieces in an arcuate path transversely of the face of the wheel as the drum is rotated, means for rotating the individual work supporting units when the work thereof is in contact with and traversing the grinding wheel as the drum rotates, and power operated means for automatically shifting the drum a prescribed distance toward and from the grinding wheel during the traverse of the work relative thereto whereby the contour produced on the work by grinding is a resultant of the transverse contour of the grinding wheel and the automatic shifting movement imparted to the work.

2. In a grinding machine of the class described the combination of a bed, a grinding wheel rotatably supported thereby, a work supporting drum mounted for rotation about an axis at right angles to the face of the grinding wheel, means for effecting a continuous rotation of the drum a plurality of work supporting units carried by said drum for passing successive work pieces in an arcuate 'path transversely ofthe face of the wheel as the drum is rotated, means for rotating the individual work supporting units when the work thereof is in contact with and traversing the grinding wheel as the drum rotates, power operated means for automatically shifting the drum a prescribed distance toward and from the grinding wheel during the traverse of the work relative thereto whereby the contour produced on the work by grinding is a resultant of the transverse contour of the grinding wheel and the automatic shifting movement imparted to the work, and means for ejecting the work pieces from the supporting units after the grinding operation.

3. In a grinding machine for grinding the terminal portion of circular work pieces the combination of a rotating grinding Wheel, and a work rotating, mounted on the bed and comprising a spindle rotatable abount an axis normal to theface of supporting the work supporting and controlling unit and means for oscillating said carriage toward the grinding wheel to effect an approach and retraction of the work'and the wheel.

4. In a grinding machine for grinding the terminal portion of circular work pieces the combination of a rotating grinding wheel, and a work rotating, feeding and traversing unit mounted on the bed and comprising a spindle rotatable about an axis normal to the face of the wheel, a work supporting drum carried by the spindlefor rotation therewith, a plurality of work supporting and rotating chucks associated with the drum individually supporting a work piece for terminal engagement with the wheel during the rotation thereof and traversing said terminal portion of the work relative to the face of" the wheel, a pivotally mounted carriage for supporting the work supporting and controlling unit means for oscillating said carriage toward the grinding wheel to effect an approach and retraction of the work and the wheel, a slide mounted on the bed and supporting the carriage, and means for shifting the slide relative to the bed toward and from the carriage.

5. In a grinding machine for grinding the terminal portion of circular work pieces the combination of a rotating grinding wheel, and a work rotating, feeding and traversing unit mounted on the bed. and comprising a spindle rotatable about an axis normal to the face of the wheel, a work supporting drum carried by the spindle for rotation therewith, a plurality of work supporting and rotating chucks associated with the drum individually supporting a work piece for terminal engagement with the wheel during the rotation thereof and traversing said terminal portion of the work relative to the face of the wheel, a pivotally mounted carriage for supporting the work supporting and controlling unit, means for oscillating said carriage toward the grinding wheel to effect an approach and retraction of the work and wheel, and means for synchronizing the rotion of the work supporting drum and carriage oscillating means whereby the carriage is oscillated at the time a work piece is traversing the wheel:

6. In a grinding machine for grinding the terminal portion of circular work pieces the combination of a rotating grinding wheel, and a work rotating, feeding and traversing unit mounted on the bed and comprising a. spindle rotatable about an axis normal to the face of the wheel, a work supporting drum carried by the spindle for rotation therewith, a plurality of work supporting and rotating chucks associated with the drum individually supporting a work piece for terminal engagement with the wheel during the rotation thereof and traversing said terminal portion of the work relative to the face feeding and traversing unit of thewheeL'each of said chucks having an open work receiving position and an alternative closed work gripping position, a chuck actuating member individual to each chuck for determining the opening or closing thereof, said member having a cam engaging groove formed therein, and spaced cam members adjacent the drum successively engageable in said grooves for alternately opening and closing individual chuck devices during rotation of the drum.

7. In a grinding machine for grinding the terminal portion of circular work pieces the combination of a rotating grinding wheel, and a work rotating, feeding and traversing unit mounted on the bed and comprising a spindle rotatable about an axis normal to the face of the wheel, a work supporting drum carried by the spindle for rotation therewith, a plurality of work supporting and rotating chucks associated with the drum individually supporting a work piece for terminal engagement with the wheel during the rotation thereof and traversing said terminal portion of the work relative to the face of the wheel, each of said chucks having an open work receiving po sition and an alternative closed work gripping position, a chuck actuating member individual'to each chuck for determining the opening or closing thereof, said member having a cam engaging groove formed therein, and spaced cam mem bers adjacent the drum successively engageable in said grooves for alternately opening and closing individual chuck devices during rotation of the drum, and independent means for automatically ejecting the work from the chucks after the grinding operation.

8. In a grinding machine for grinding the terminal portion of circular work pieces the combination of a grinding wheel having its peripheral face contragenerically formed to the contour to be produced on the terminus of the work, means for supporting a work piece for traversing movement relative to the grinding wheel, means to shift the work piece transversely of the peripheral face of the grinding wheel during the grinding operation, a chuck for supporting the work for rotation about an axis normal to the face of the wheel, means for automatically clamping the work in the chuck prior to the traversing movement, means for automatically releasing the work from the chuck at the end of the traversing movement, means for automatically ejecting the work from the chuck upon release thereof, and

'cam means having a contour complementary to ation will be the resultant of the combined reactions of the contoured face of the grinding wheel and the movement with respect thereto as determined by said cam means.

9. In a grinding machine for grinding the terminal portion of circular work pieces the combination of a grinding wheel having its peripheral face contragenerically formed to the contour to be produced on the terminus of the work, means for supporting a work piece for traversing movement relative to the grinding wheel, means to shift the work piece transversely of the peripheral face of the grinding wheel during the grinding operation, a chuck for supporting the work for rotation about an aXis normal to the face of the wheel, means for automatically clamping the work in the chuck prior to the traversing movement, means for automatically releasing the work from the chuck at the end of the traversing movement, means for automatically ejecting the work from the chuck upon release thereof, cam means having acontourcomplementary to the transverse contour of the periphery of the grinding wheel for automatically effecting an approach and retraction of the work and the wheel during the traversing movement whereby the contour produced on the work by the grinding operation will be the resultant of the combined reactions of the contoured face of the grinding wheel and the movement with respect thereto as determined by said cam means, and means for feeding the chuck and work toward the wheel.

10. In a grinding machine for contour grinding the terminal portions of work pieces, the combination with a grinding wheel having a transversely contoured peripheral face, of a carrier mounted to rotate about an axis parallel with the plane of rotation of the grinding wheel, means to impart a continuous rotative movement to said carrier, a plurality of work holding members mounted on the carrier whereby the same are successively shiftable in an arcuate path transversely of the contoured periphery of the grinding wheel upon rotation of the carrier, means to selectively rotate an individual work holder upon the carrier during the traversing movement of said individual work carrier with respect to the grinding wheel, and means for effecting individual oscillatory movements of the carrier toward and from the periphery of the grinding wheel during traverse of its individual work holders with respect to the grinding wheel.

11. In a grinding machine for contour grinding the terminal portions of work pieces, the combination with a grinding wheel having a transversely contoured peripheral face, of a carrier mounted to rotate about an axis parallel with the plane of rotation of the grinding wheel, means to impart a continuous rotative movement to said carrier, a plurality of work holding members mounted on the carrier whereby the same are successively shiftable in an arcuate path transversely of the contoured periphery of the grinding wheel upon rotation of the carrier, means to selectively rotate an individual work holder upon the carrier during the traversing movement of said individual work carrier with respect to the grinding wheel, means for effecting individual oscillatory movements of the carrier toward and from the periphery of the grinding wheel during traverse of its individual work holders with respect to the grinding wheel, motive means for elfecting the continuous rotation of the carrier, and a safety device adjacent the carrier engageable by incorrectly mounted work pieces in the individual work holders in advance of their presentation to the grinding wheel whereby the motive means may be automatically ing wheel, and cam means for effecting an osci1-' lation of the housing about its pivotal support in a direction toward and from the grinding wheel for determining the effective engagement of an individual work piece on the carrier with the grinding wheel.

13. A machine for the purpose described including a bed, a grinding wheel supported thereby, a housing pivotally supported by the bed for oscillation about an axis parallel with the axis of the grinding wheel, a carrier supported by the housing for rotation about an axis at right angles to that of the grinding Wheel, a plurality of individual work piece holders mounted on the carrier and successively presentable by rotation thereof in operative relation to the periphery of the grinding wheel, cam means for effecting an oscillation of the housing about its pivotal support in a direction toward and from the grinding wheel for determining the effective engagement of an individual work piece on the carrier with the grinding wheel, power means for effecting a continuous rotation of the carrier, and driving connections between the power means and the housing operating cam for effecting a rate of actuation of the cam in such ratio to the rate of rotation of the carrier that an oscillation Will be imparted to the housing during each presentation of a work piece to the grinding wheel by the carrier.

GEORGE W. BINNS. LINCOLN E. MEHLHOPE. 

